Landfills, Contaminated Land & Environmental Forensics

Spectral plot of fluorescein in a landfill leachate sample. The figure shows a plot of emission vs. excitation wavelengths of the leachate being analysed, with contours representing intensity. Using these ‘3D’ style plots, fluorescent dyes can be distinguished from other fluorescent material present in the waste.Carbon Tetrachloride and CFC contamination of a river due to landfill impacts. A.Foley

Landfill hydrology is a particular field in and of itself, as domestic, commercial and industrial wastes are extremely chemically and physically heterogeneous. Landfills may therefore exhibit multi-phase and multi-porosity flow. However, more broadly speaking, there are various ways to identify the chemical signatures of landfill leachates and gases in impacted waters, even at minute concentrations, and also to identify introduced tracers against often very high background concentrations of similar substances. One example is given in the figure to the left, where the fluorescent dye fluorescein is distinguished against high concentrations of other fluorescent compounds.

Water Tracing Services UK offer bespoke sampling and tracer services with respect to contaminated land and landfills. Our associated companies are also able to offer Phase I and Phase II risk assessments for controlled waters adjacent to and beneath landfills / contaminated land (please see Environmental Geology & Geotechnical Consultants Ltd. for further information).

Environmental forensics uses low-concentration analytical techniques coupled with environmental modelling and expert knowledge to clarify sources of contamination based upon specific contaminant signatures and potential source/pathway analysis. Please CONTACT us if you wish to discuss any such requirement.

Dr Rob Low BSc MSc PhD

ABOUT US

Water Tracing Services specialises in the design, conduct and implementation of groundwater tracer tests. We have our own analytical laboratory equipment for the preparation and measurement of fluorescent tracers.

We offer nationwide services and are well connected to the relevant regulatory bodies.

If you have an enquiry please contact either Rob or Aidan on the email addresses / numbers above: